Chapter Forty-Four: The Will to Kill

“I can’t take it anymore!” Ye Xin slammed the table and rose abruptly. “This one melts in your mouth, that one melts in your mouth, I’m honestly worried for whoever marries her in the future!”

Tie Shuteng, Wang Meng, and the others were momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood what Ye Xin meant, and burst into raucous laughter.

Han Yuanzi laughed so hard he toppled backwards, but being a warrior, he flipped and crouched on the ground, still laughing. Wang Meng clutched his stomach with one hand, pounding the table with the other. Tie Shuteng laughed until tears streamed down his face, wiping them away as he continued to chortle.

Wei Qingfan on the other side tried to hold it in, but after a few moments couldn’t help but let his laughter spill out, while Tie Renhao’s cheeks twitched, letting out a laugh, then restraining himself, then laughing again.

Every man present understood what Ye Xin was implying. Meanwhile, Ye Ling and Tie Hui really did look adorably puzzled, faces full of confusion as they glanced around at their companions, racking their brains to figure out why everyone was suddenly laughing like madmen.

Deng Duojie’s face alternated between pale and flushed. She was already of marriageable age but hadn’t found a suitable match yet, so was still waiting in the boudoir. Prestigious families always had special maids tasked with imparting such worldly knowledge. Seeing the men laugh so oddly, she pondered a moment and instantly grasped Ye Xin’s intention.

Deng Duojie wanted to lose her temper, but had no grounds. Ye Xin’s words left no handle for reproach; if she brought it up, she’d only embarrass herself.

Her hand holding the chopsticks trembled uncontrollably, the food she’d picked dropped onto the table. She’d lost all appetite—even if it were dragon liver and phoenix marrow, she couldn’t eat another bite.

After quite a while, the laughter gradually faded, and the atmosphere between the groups shifted completely: Tie Shuteng’s side was lively, while Tie Renhao’s group lapsed into silence.

Wei Qingfan ate a few bites casually, then stood up. “Your Highness, Your Grace, there are some matters at home I must attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“That’s fine,” Tie Renhao managed a strained smile.

Wei Qingfan strode out, pausing as he passed Tie Shuteng’s table. After a moment’s hesitation, he stopped and raised a thumb to Ye Xin. “Young Master Ye, you’re a rare character. If it’s possible, I’d truly like to be your friend...” With that, Wei Qingfan sighed, shook his head, and walked quickly out of the courtyard.

With Wei Qingfan gone, Tie Renhao grew restless as well. The only one at the table whose appetite remained unaffected was Tie Hui, who’d already devoured more than half of a dish of Dragon Roar Beast’s spirit liver and another of Nine-Tailed Luan’s heart marrow.

A little later, Tie Renhao and his group left completely. Tie Shuteng exhaled deeply and looked at Ye Xin. “Xin, I’ve learned something today. You—your heart is a sword, your words a blade. Impressive! Truly impressive!”

“Yes, with just a couple of sentences, Young Master Ye helped us regain our dignity,” Han Yuanzi said, smiling. “I can’t help but admire him!”

“Luckily I brought Brother Xin over,” Wang Meng said. “Otherwise, this banquet would’ve been miserable.”

“She dared to put on airs in front of me!” Ye Xin scoffed. “Does she think Ye Xin is easy to bully?”

“Too bad you can’t gather spiritual power...” Tie Shuteng sighed. “Heaven is jealous of your talent!”

“Even if Brother Xin can’t gather spiritual power, he’s still the legitimate son of the Wolf Commander!” Wang Meng exclaimed. “Brother Xin, I don’t get it—what about that girl from the Zong family caught your eye?”

“What has the Zong family got to do with me?” Ye Xin was baffled.

“Ling, he doesn’t know?” Tie Shuteng looked to Ye Ling.

“Brother’s been unconscious, how could he know...” Ye Ling answered with a bitter smile.

“Hey, hey, hey, what are you talking about?” Ye Xin felt a foreboding chill.

“Brother, I called a cultivator to treat your injury. When Mother heard the cultivator say you might never wake up, she was frantic,” Ye Ling explained, glancing furtively at Ye Xin. “So... so she wanted to arrange a marriage for you, hoping a joyous occasion might help you recover. But Mother visited many families, suffered much humiliation, and finally... the Zong family heard about it, and approached us themselves, proposing a match. Mother was overjoyed and agreed immediately.”

Ye Xin’s eyes glazed over, unable to utter a single word. Deng Qiaoying had long been eager to find him a wife, but his notorious reputation had caused her to hit nothing but walls. He’d thought she’d forgotten about it for a while, but now, because of his injury and coma, things had spiraled out of control!

“Brother Xin, your family’s been preparing for days, lanterns and decorations everywhere—haven’t you noticed?” Wang Meng asked.

“I didn’t pay attention...” Ye Xin replied, his voice dry.

“Xin, you’ll have to endure this,” Tie Shuteng sighed. “If the Zong family were sending Zong Yunxiu, she’d be a suitable match, but Zong Ying is illegitimate, and like you, can’t gather spiritual power. Alas...”

“But... I hear Zong Ying is exceptionally beautiful,” Han Yuanzi remarked.

“What good is that?” Tie Shuteng retorted. “What the Ye family needs now is support. An illegitimate daughter is nothing—there’s no way the Zong family would back Ye family for her sake.”

Ye Xin fell especially quiet, bowing his head, staring through his wine cup as if he could pierce it with his gaze. If the soldiers of the Sin Battalion were present, they’d immediately recognize that Ye Xin had murder in his heart. Once he reached this state—silent in his anger—no one could stop the bloodshed.

Ye Ling watched Ye Xin secretly, full of regret. She knew her brother’s strength, and understood that Zong Ying’s status and ability were not a match for him. But Ye Xin had been unconscious, terrified by the words of the healer, and she’d been helpless, forced to follow Deng Qiaoying’s arrangements. Had she known her brother would wake so soon, she would have tried everything to prevent it—but now it was too late.

“Enough, let’s not dwell on this,” Tie Shuteng said. “Let’s drink.”

“Wang Meng, I need a word with you.” Ye Xin suddenly looked up.

“What is it?” Wang Meng glanced at him.

“My second uncle is being mistreated in the Sky Prison. Some guards are deliberately withholding his meals. I’ve learned that the Warden may be behind it,” Ye Xin said.

“There’s such a thing?!” Wang Meng erupted in fury. “Those dogs! Brother Xin, don’t worry, leave it to me! I don’t care about anything else, but a mere warden—I have plenty of ways to finish him!”

Wang Meng’s father was the Grand Magistrate, in charge of all constables and related agencies in Nine Cauldrons City, including the Sky Prison. Though Wang Meng was at odds with his father, his status was undeniable. For the Grand Magistrate’s son to deal with a mere warden was an easy matter.

Ye Xin smiled, clinking his glass with Wang Meng’s and draining it in one gulp, then casually picked up some food. He was waiting—for Tie Shuteng’s reaction.

In their youth, Tie Shuteng had always used Ye Xin against Tie Renhao, though Ye Xin hadn’t minded. If Tie Shuteng didn’t know how to make use of this advantage, Ye Xin wouldn’t bother getting closer—because a fool could never help him.

Wang Meng knew nothing of the inside story, but Tie Shuteng surely did. The Sky Prison’s warden would never act alone against Ye Sui Feng; he must be following higher orders.

“This matter is not simple.” Tie Shuteng furrowed his brow. “Wang Meng, don’t act rashly. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to the Sky Prison.”

“A mere warden, and you want to go yourself?” Wang Meng protested.

“If it concerned anyone else, I wouldn’t bother. But for Ye Second Uncle...” Tie Shuteng paused. “I must go. You can’t.”

Ye Xin said nothing, pouring himself another glass and clinking it with Tie Shuteng’s. He understood Tie Shuteng had decided to take the heat.

Tie Shuteng drained his glass and then turned to Ye Ling. “Ling, I have a favor to ask.”

“Brother, there’s no need for formalities—just say it,” Ye Ling replied quickly.

“Four months until the Academy Competition, right?” Tie Shuteng asked gently.

“Yes,” Ye Ling nodded.

“I’ve already joined the military and can’t compete. These next months, focus on your cultivation and do nothing else. When the competition comes, if you meet Tie Renhao, give him a good thrashing for me!”

“Brother... I may not be a match for Tie Renhao...” Ye Ling replied with difficulty. Tie Shuteng had just decided to go to the Sky Prison to speak up for her father, Ye Sui Feng, so she had to agree, no matter what. But Tie Renhao’s strength was formidable; she really wasn’t confident.

“Don’t worry, any spirit stones you need this year, I’ll cover,” Tie Shuteng said.

“This...” Ye Ling was stunned, her eyes reddening. Tie Shuteng wasn’t asking for a favor at all—he was deliberately helping her with her training!

“Xin can’t gather spiritual power. The Ye family will have to depend on you in the future,” Tie Shuteng said softly.

“I understand.” Ye Ling bit her lip gently.

Just then, Han Yuanzi quietly tugged Tie Shuteng’s sleeve under the table. Tie Shuteng turned, annoyed. “Why are you pulling me?”

“Brother, we’re almost out of our private stash,” Han Yuanzi said with a wry smile. “Ye Xin’s wedding is in five days. The family’s contribution is their business, but as friends, we must do our part—we can’t let Ye Xin be embarrassed. But there’s nowhere to get the money...”

“Nonsense! I brought it back...”

“Brother, there are over five thousand brothers. What you brought back is barely a splash,” Han Yuanzi interrupted.

“It’s all gone?” Tie Shuteng’s face stiffened.

“Gone...” Han Yuanzi replied. “Brother, I did exactly as you instructed...”

Ye Xin chuckled inwardly. Tie Shuteng wasn’t trying to shirk the wedding money, but secretly rewarding the city defense warriors—such moves to win hearts were dangerous indeed.

“I... damn...” Tie Shuteng was flustered, then lowered his voice. “How dare you come to Fragrant Pavilion with nothing left?”

“That can go on the account. They won’t dare press us,” Han Yuanzi said.